The Blitz: The Wolfpack looks to end a 6-game skid, while the Pirates try to complete a season sweep of in-state ACC rivals after beating UNC on Sept. 28. Brandon Mitchell returns at QB for State after missing last week's game at BC with an injury. WR Jumichael Ramos had a breakout game against the Eagles (5 catches, 109 yards, TD). Defensively, LB Robert Caldwell has 87 tackles to lead a unit that will have its hands full trying to stop an ECU offense averaging 41.5 ppg behind QB Shane Carden, WR Justin Hardy and RB Vintavious Cooper. The Pirates rank eighth nationally in rushing defense and have 32 sacks this season, led by OLB Montese Overton and DE Terrell Stanley. If the Wolfpack has one advantage it's in the kicking game, where Niklas Sade has converted 19 of 22 FGs.

Brett's Forecast: ECU 56, N.C. State 23

Old Dominion at North Carolina

The Blitz: The Tar Heels have won four in a row and can earn bowl eligibility against the Monarchs, who played both ECU and Pittsburgh close this season but have only beaten one FBS team in their brief history (Idaho). UNC's surge has been build around a defense led by DE Kareem Martin, who earned national Player of the Week honors with his performance at Pitt last week. That defense will be challenged by ODU QB Taylor Heinicke, a 71.6 percent passer with 3,892 yards, 32 TDs and only 8 INTs. On the other side of the ball, QB Marquise Williams is settling into the starting role with a pair of dangerous receivers – TE Eric Ebron and WR Qunishad Davis. UNC also has a weapon in WR Ryan Switzer, who has returned 3 punts for TDs in the last two weeks. S Fellonte Misher leads ODU with 85 tackles. He's also intercepted two passes.

Brett's Forecast: UNC 41, ODU 31

No. 25 Duke at Wake Forest

When: Noon on Saturday

Where: BB&T Field (31,500), Winston-Salem

Records: Duke 8-2, 4-2 ACC; Wake 4-6, 2-5 ACC

TV/Radio: ESPN2; XM 193, Sirius 137

The Blitz: The Blue Devils and Deacons meet for the 94th time, and second straight year they've played in Winston-Salem. QB Anthony Boone came off the bench to help Duke break a 12-game losing streak to Wake in 2012. A win today would clinch a share of the Coastal Division title for the Blue Devils while tying a school record of nine wins, last accomplished in 1941. Boone alternates with QB Brandon Connette, who accounted for 5 TDs against Miami last week. Duke's defense is led by LBs David Helton and Kelby Brown and S Jeremy Cash, the ACC's top 3 tacklers. Wake NG Nikita Whitlock has 18 tackles for loss this season and 46.5 for his career. Offensively, QB Tanner Price has struggled without top WR Michael Campanaro. The Deacons scored a combined 3 points in their two previous games before last week's bye.

<p class="bold allcaps">East Carolina at N.C. State</p>
<p><b>When:</b> 12:30 p.m. Saturday</p><p><b>Where:</b> Carter-Finley Stadium (57,583), Raleigh</p><p><b>Records:</b> N.C. State 3-7, 0-7 ACC; ECU 8-2, 6-1 CUSA</p><p><b>TV/Radio:</b> WSFX, Channel 26; WSFM (98.3 FM), WTAB (1370 AM), WLNC (1300 AM), WAAV (980 AM), XM 198, Sirius 111.</p><p><b>The Blitz:</b> The Wolfpack looks to end a 6-game skid, while the Pirates try to complete a season sweep of in-state ACC rivals after beating UNC on Sept. 28. Brandon Mitchell returns at QB for State after missing last week's game at BC with an injury. WR Jumichael Ramos had a breakout game against the Eagles (5 catches, 109 yards, TD). Defensively, LB Robert Caldwell has 87 tackles to lead a unit that will have its hands full trying to stop an ECU offense averaging 41.5 ppg behind QB Shane Carden, WR Justin Hardy and RB Vintavious Cooper. The Pirates rank eighth nationally in rushing defense and have 32 sacks this season, led by OLB Montese Overton and DE Terrell Stanley. If the Wolfpack has one advantage it's in the kicking game, where Niklas Sade has converted 19 of 22 FGs.</p><p><b>Brett's Forecast:</b> ECU 56, N.C. State 23</p><h3>Old Dominion at North Carolina</h3>
<p><b>When:</b> Noon on Saturday</p><p><b>Where:</b> Kenan Stadium (63,000), Chapel Hill </p><p><b>Records:</b> UNC 5-5, 4-3 ACC; ODU 8-3</p><p><b>TV/Radio:</b> Fox Sports Carolinas; WMFD (630 AM), WTXY (1540 AM), XM 195, Sirius 139.</p><p><b>The Blitz:</b> The Tar Heels have won four in a row and can earn bowl eligibility against the Monarchs, who played both ECU and Pittsburgh close this season but have only beaten one FBS team in their brief history (Idaho). UNC's surge has been build around a defense led by DE Kareem Martin, who earned national Player of the Week honors with his performance at Pitt last week. That defense will be challenged by ODU QB Taylor Heinicke, a 71.6 percent passer with 3,892 yards, 32 TDs and only 8 INTs. On the other side of the ball, QB Marquise Williams is settling into the starting role with a pair of dangerous receivers – TE Eric Ebron and WR Qunishad Davis. UNC also has a weapon in WR Ryan Switzer, who has returned 3 punts for TDs in the last two weeks. S Fellonte Misher leads ODU with 85 tackles. He's also intercepted two passes.</p><p><b>Brett's Forecast:</b> UNC 41, ODU 31</p><h3>No. 25 Duke at Wake Forest</h3>
<p><b>When:</b> Noon on Saturday</p><p><b>Where:</b> BB&T Field (31,500), Winston-Salem</p><p><b>Records:</b> Duke 8-2, 4-2 ACC; Wake 4-6, 2-5 ACC</p><p><b>TV/Radio:</b> ESPN2; XM 193, Sirius 137</p><p><b>The Blitz:</b> The Blue Devils and Deacons meet for the 94th time, and second straight year they've played in Winston-Salem. QB Anthony Boone came off the bench to help Duke break a 12-game losing streak to Wake in 2012. A win today would clinch a share of the Coastal Division title for the Blue Devils while tying a school record of nine wins, last accomplished in 1941. Boone alternates with QB Brandon Connette, who accounted for 5 TDs against Miami last week. Duke's defense is led by LBs David Helton and Kelby Brown and S Jeremy Cash, the ACC's top 3 tacklers. Wake NG Nikita Whitlock has 18 tackles for loss this season and 46.5 for his career. Offensively, QB Tanner Price has struggled without top WR Michael Campanaro. The Deacons scored a combined 3 points in their two previous games before last week's bye.</p><p><b>Brett's Forecast:</b> Duke 38, Wake 10</p><p><i></p><p>– <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic24"><b>Brett Friedlander</b></a></i></p>